Method and apparatus for ordering code candidates in image for decoding attempts

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of a first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to code readers and more specifically tocode readers that attempt to optimize decode processes to decode codecandidates in a rapid succession of obtained images.

Automated identification of products using optical codes has beenbroadly implemented throughout industrial operations and in many otherapplications for many years. Optical codes are patterns composed ofelements with different light reflectance or emission, assembled inaccordance with predefined rules. The elements in the optical codes maybe bars or spaces in a linear barcode, or the on/off pattern in atwo-dimensional matrix code. The bar code or symbols can be printed onlabels placed on product packaging, or directly on the product itself bydirect part marking. The information encoded in a bar code or symbol canbe decoded using optical readers in fixed-mount installations or inportable hand held devices. In the case of a fixed-mount device, often atransfer line or the like is provided that moves objects marked withcodes or symbols by a device detector so that the detector can generateimages of the codes.

At least some reader devices include a camera capable of generating twodimensional images of a field of view. For example, many systemscurrently employ a two dimensional CCD image sensor which obtains imagesand generates image data which is provided to a processor. The processoris programmed to examine image data to identify code candidates (e.g.,bar code or symbol candidates) and attempt to decode the codecandidates. At least some reader devices are programmed to obtain imagesof a FOV in rapid succession and to attempt to decode any codecandidates in the obtained images as quickly as possible. To decodecodes, the processor runs one or more decode algorithms.

Where objects are moved through a device's FOV via a transfer line orthe like as images are obtained, in many cases a large number of imagesof the same object and applied code are obtained with the object andcode in different locations along the direction of travel through theFOV. Here, some code candidates in an image will be new to the FOV(i.e., the candidates were located outside the FOV during previousimages) and some will be exiting the FOV prior to generation of asubsequent image.

When obtaining an image of a code, the quality of the image depends onseveral factors including the angle of a sensor with respect to asurface on which the code is applied, the material and texture of thesurface on which the code is applied, code marking quality or damageafter marking, ambient and device lighting characteristics, distortionin the applied symbol, transfer line speed, distance from the surface onwhich the code is applied, optical blur, camera resolution, etc. Imagequality affects the ability of a processor running a specific algorithmto decode a code. For example, in many cases a simple decoding algorithmwill not be able to successfully decode codes in an image unless thecircumstances surrounding image acquisition are substantially ideal.

To compensate for imperfect image acquisition, relatively more complexdecode algorithms have been developed. For instance, several decodealgorithms have been developed which can at least partially compensatefor imperfect lighting, a curved surface that a code is applied to,imperfect sensor angle with respect to the surface that a code isapplied to, etc.

While complex decode algorithms work well to compensate for imperfectimages, one draw back is that complex algorithms often require a greateramount of processing power and a commensurate greater amount of time toperform. While more expensive algorithms are not an issue in someapplications, in applications where images are obtained in rapidsuccession, expensive algorithms requiring long periods to complete canresult in computational requirements that far exceed capabilities ofreader processors. More specifically, in some cases, image sensors arecapable of obtaining and providing images so quickly that a readerdevice processor cannot perform a complex algorithm on all codecandidates in an image prior to receiving a next image.

Where a processor cannot keep up with the computational demands requiredto perform a complex algorithm for all code candidates in a rapidsuccession of images, one solution may be to forego analysis ofcandidates in next images until a reader device has attempted to decodeall code candidates in a current image. Thus, for instance, where secondthrough fourth images are obtained during the period required to attemptto decode all code candidates in a first image, the second throughfourth images would be discarded when a fifth image is obtained and codecandidates in the fourth image would be examined. While this solutionensures that the complex algorithm is applied to all candidates in acurrent or first image, this solution simply ignores code candidates inthe second through fourth image while candidates in the first image areprocessed despite the fact that candidates in the subsequent images maybe better suited to be decoded. In this case, the end result may be thatsome codes that pass through a field of view are never successfullydecoded.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that code candidates in obtained images can beordered in a candidate order for decode attempts as a function variousfactors including locations of candidates in an image currently beingexamined, locations of candidates in images previously obtained, theresults of decode attempts in previous images, the direction ofobject/code travel through a field of view, the speed of travel throughthe field of view, whether or not candidates will likely appear insubsequent images, whether or not candidates are newly located withinthe field of view, and many other factors. Here, after a candidate orderis established, a processor attempts to decode the candidates in theestablished order until a next image event occurs at which point theprocessor discards or at least stops attempting to decode candidates inthe current image and commences processing of code candidates in thenext image. Here, the next image event may be reception of a next image,the end of a timeout period, completion of a number of decode attemptsselected to be able to be completed prior to the anticipated receptionof a next image, completion of decoding attempts for all code candidatesthat likely have not been decoded in previous images, etc.

For instance, in at least some embodiments where a transfer line movesobjects/codes through a device field of view in a direction of travel sothat new images enter the field of view along an entry edge and exitalong an exit edge, the processor may be programmed to order codecandidates in obtained images so that the processor attempts to decodecandidates closest to the entry edge first followed by candidates moredistant from the entry edge until either the processor has attempted todecode all of the candidates or a next image event (e.g., a next imageis obtained) occurs. When a next image event occurs prior to attemptingto decode all candidates, the processor discards or foregoes processingcandidates that the processor has not yet started to attempt to decodeand, in at least some cases, may stop decoding candidates currentlybeing decoded, and starts to process the next image.

As another instance, the processor may be programmed to order codecandidates in obtained images so that the processor attempts to decodecandidates closest to the exit edge first followed by candidates moredistant from the exit edge until either the processor has attempted todecode all of the candidates or a next image event (e.g., a next imageis obtained) occurs. In still other cases the processor may divide theFOV into different regions of interest (ROIs) and then attempt to decodecandidates in the ROIs in a sequential order starting with candidates ina first ROI, followed by a second ROI and so on until all candidateshave been attempted or until a next image event occurs.

In still other embodiments the processor may be programmed to identifycandidates that likely will not appear in a next image based on traveldirection, speed and locations of candidates in a current image or anysubset of these factors and may order the candidates so that candidatesthat likely will not appear in a next image are processed early in theorder.

In other embodiments the processor may be programmed to keep track oflocations of successfully decoded candidates in prior images and toorder candidates for decode attempts as a function of which codecandidates in a current image were likely successfully decoded in priorimages and which were not. For example, where two of ten candidates in acurrent image likely correspond to two successfully decoded candidatesfrom prior images, the processor may order the other eight candidatesfirst and only attempt to decode the two likely previously successfullydecoded candidates last if there is time prior to obtaining a nextimage.

In yet other embodiments the processor may order candidates as afunction of both whether or not the candidates will likely appear insubsequent images and whether or not the candidates were likely decodedin prior images as well as based on location of candidates in an imageor other factors.

Some embodiments include a method for decoding codes applied to objectsfor use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includesan image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and theconveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through theFOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOValong an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing aprocessor programmed to perform the steps of, obtaining images of theFOV, for each image, identifying code candidates in at least portions ofthe image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates fordecoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determinedat least in part as a function of the first direction of travel throughthe FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified bythe direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoingattempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

In some embodiments the step of ordering at least a subset of codecandidates includes identifying at least first and second regions ofinterest (ROIs) in the FOV that are adjacent the entry edge and the exitedge of the FOV, respectively, identifying code candidates in each ofthe at least first and second ROIs, and ordering the code candidates inone of the first and second ROIs for processing prior to the codecandidates in the other of the first and second ROIs. In someembodiments the code candidates in the first ROI are ordered prior tothe code candidates in the second ROI in the candidate order. In someembodiments the code candidates in the second ROI are ordered prior tothe code candidates in the first ROI in the candidate order.

In some embodiments the step of ordering at least a subset of the codecandidates further includes the step of identifying code candidates thatwill likely be outside the FOV when a next image is obtained andordering the code candidates that will likely be outside the FOV whenthe next image is obtained near the beginning of the candidate order. Insome cases the step of identifying code candidates that will likely beoutside the FOV further includes the step of, for code candidates thatwill likely be outside the FOV when the next image is obtained,identifying code candidates that have likely been decoded in priorimages and code candidates that likely have not been decoded in priorimages and ordering the code candidates that likely have not beendecoded in prior images prior to the code candidates that have likelybeen decoded in prior images.

In some cases the step of ordering at least a subset of the codecandidates further includes the steps of identifying code candidatesthat are likely new to the FOV and identifying code candidates that werelikely in a prior image and that will likely be in the FOV when asubsequent image is obtained and ordering the code candidates that werelikely in a prior image and that will likely be in the FOV when thesubsequent image is obtained near the end of the candidate order and thecode candidates that were likely in a prior image generally near themiddle of the candidate order.

In some embodiments the step of ordering at least a subset of the codecandidates includes identifying code candidates that likely are new tothe FOV near the beginning of the candidate order. In some embodimentsthe step of ordering at least a subset of the code candidates includes,identifying code candidates that are likely to be outside the FOV when anext image is obtained and that have likely not been decoded in a priorimage as a first candidate subset, identifying code candidates that arelikely to be outside the FOV when a next image is obtained and that havelikely been decoded in a prior image as a second candidate subset,identifying code candidates that are likely to be in the FOV when a nextimage is obtained and that have likely not been decoded in a prior imageas a third candidate subset, identifying code candidates that are likelyto be in the FOV when a next image is obtained and that have likely beendecoded in a prior image as a fourth candidate subset and ordering thesubsets so that the first candidate subset occurs prior to the secondcandidate subset, the second candidate subset occurs prior to the thirdcandidate subset and the third candidate subset occurs prior to thefourth candidate subset.

In some cases, when a new image is obtained, the method further includesdiscarding code candidates in the candidate order for which no attemptto decode has occurred. In some cases the conveyor system conveysobjects in the first direction of travel at a conveyor speed and whereinthe candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of theconveyor speed. In some embodiments at least first and second differentdecode algorithms may be used to attempt to decode any of the codecandidates, the method further including the step of assigning one ofthe first and second decode algorithms to each of at least a subset ofthe code candidates in the candidate order wherein the algorithmassigned to each candidate is at least in part a function of thecandidate order.

Some embodiments further include the steps of identifying codecandidates that were likely successfully decoded in prior images andcode candidates that were likely not successfully decoded in priorimages, the step of assigning first and second decode algorithmsincluding assigning the decode algorithms at least in part as a functionof whether or not code candidates were likely decoded in a prior image.

In some embodiments the first decode algorithm requires more time thanthe second decode algorithm to complete. In some cases a new image eventoccurs when a new image is obtained. In some embodiments a new imageevent occurs when an image acquisition period has lapsed.

A method for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera anda conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having atwo dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system movesobjects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objectsenter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge,the method comprising the steps of, providing a processor programmed toperform the steps of, identifying the first direction of travel throughthe FOV, obtaining images of the FOV, for each image, where an imagemost recently obtained is a current image, identifying code candidatesin at least portions of the image, attempting to decode code candidatesthat are proximate the exit edge of the FOV, after attempting to decodecode candidates that are proximate the exit edge of the FOV, attemptingto decode code candidates that are proximate the entry edge of the FOVand when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at leasta portion of the identified code candidates.

Some embodiments include a method for decoding codes applied to objectsfor use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includesan image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and theconveyor system moves objects in a first direction through the FOV suchthat objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along anexit edge so that the sensor generates images having at least first andsecond different regions of interest that are adjacent the entry edgeand the exit edge, respectively the method comprising the steps ofproviding a processor programmed to perform the steps of, obtaining animage of the FOV, for each image, identifying code candidates in atleast portions of the image, identifying at least first and seconddifferent regions of interest (ROIs) in the obtained image, attemptingto decode code candidates in the first ROI a first time, afterattempting to decode candidates in the first ROI, attempting to decodecode candidates in the second ROI, after attempting to decode candidatesin the second ROI, attempting a second time to decode code candidates inthe first ROI, and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts todecode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

In some embodiments the step of attempting to decode code candidates inthe first ROI a first time includes using a first decode algorithm andthe step of attempting to decode code candidates in the first ROI asecond time includes attempting to decode the code candidates using asecond decode algorithm that is different than the first decodealgorithm. In some embodiments the first ROI is proximate one of theentry and exit edges of the FOV and the second ROI is proximate theother of the entry and exit edges of the FOV.

Some embodiments further include the step of ordering code candidateswithin the first ROI in a candidate order, the step of attempting todecode code candidates in the first ROI a first time, includingattempting to decode the code candidates in an order prescribed by thecandidate order. Some cases further include the step of identifying codecandidates in the first ROI that have likely been previously decoded inat least one prior image, the step of ordering the code candidatesincluding order the code candidates at least in part as a function ofwhich candidates have likely been previously decoded in at least oneprior image,

Other embodiments include an apparatus for decoding codes applied toobjects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the cameraincludes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV)and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travelthrough the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge andexit the FOV along an exit edge, the apparatus comprising a processorprogrammed to perform the steps of, obtaining images of the FOV, foreach image, identifying code candidates in at least portions of theimage, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding ina candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least inpart as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV,attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by thedirection of travel, and when a new image event occurs, foregoingattempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

In some embodiments the processor is programmed to perform the step ofordering at least a subset of code candidates by identifying at leastfirst and second regions of interest (ROIs) in the FOV that are adjacentthe entry edge and the exit edge of the FOV, respectively, identifyingcode candidates in each of the at least first and second ROIs, andordering the code candidates in one of the first and second ROIs forprocessing prior to the code candidates in the other of the first andsecond ROIs.

In some embodiments the processor is programmed to perform the step ofordering at least a subset of the code candidates by identifying codecandidates that will likely be outside the FOV when a next image isobtained and ordering the code candidates that will likely be outsidethe FOV when the next image is obtained near the beginning of thecandidate order. In some embodiments the processor is programmed toperform the step of ordering at least a subset of the code candidates byidentifying code candidates that likely are new to the FOV near thebeginning of the candidate order.

Still other embodiments include an apparatus for decoding codes appliedto objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein thecamera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view(FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction oftravel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entryedge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the apparatus comprising aprocessor programmed to perform the steps of identifying the firstdirection of travel through the FOV, obtaining images of the FOV, foreach image, where an image most recently obtained is a current image,identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image,attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate the exit edge ofthe FOV, after attempting to decode code candidates that are proximatethe exit edge of the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates that areproximate the entry edge of the FOV and when a new image event occurs,foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified codecandidates.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The followingdescription and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certainillustrative aspects of the invention. However, these aspects areindicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles ofthe invention can be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novelfeatures of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the invention when considered in conjunctionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a machine vision system and atransfer line where the machine vision system includes featuresconsistent with at least some aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary field of view, exemplary regions ofinterest within the field of view and exemplary code candidates withinthe field of view;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, albeit showing the code candidates indifferent relative positions with respect to the field of view and theregions of interest;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method whereby code candidateswithin an obtained image are ordered for attempts to decode as afunction of the direction of travel and travel speed of the candidatesthrough a field of view;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method whereby code candidates inan obtained image are grouped into subsets as a function of which regionof interest within a field of view they appear in and whereby aprocessor processes the code candidates in an order related to theirregions of interest;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method whereby a processor orderscode candidates for decoding attempts as a function of whether or notthose candidates were likely decoded in previous images; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 represent a single flow chart wherein a processor orderscode candidates for decode attempts as a function of whether or not thecode candidates were likely decoded in previously obtained images andwhether or not the code candidates will likely appear in subsequentimages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The various aspects of the subject invention are now described withreference to the annexed drawings, wherein like reference numeralscorrespond to similar elements throughout the several views. It shouldbe understood, however, that the drawings and detailed descriptionhereafter relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subjectmatter to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

As used herein, the terms “component,” “system” and the like areintended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, acombination of hardware and software, software, or software inexecution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being,a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable,a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way ofillustration, both an application running on a computer and the computercan be a component. One or more components may reside within a processand/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers or processors.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs.

Furthermore, the disclosed subject matter may be implemented as asystem, method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standardprogramming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware,hardware, or any combination thereof to control a computer or processorbased device to implement aspects detailed herein. The term “article ofmanufacture” (or alternatively, “computer program product”) as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, carrier, or media. For example, computerreadable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storagedevices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips . . . ), opticaldisks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) . . . ),smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick). Additionallyit should be appreciated that a carrier wave can be employed to carrycomputer-readable electronic data such as those used in transmitting andreceiving electronic mail or in accessing a network such as the Internetor a local area network (LAN). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications may be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals correspondto similar elements throughout the several views and, more specifically,referring to FIG. 1, the present invention will be described in thecontext of an exemplary imaging system/transfer line 10 wherein atransfer line 30 moves objects 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, etc., along a directionof travel 25. In the present example, each of the objects has similarphysical characteristics and therefore, only object 26 b will bedescribed in any detail. Specifically, object 26 b includes a surface 27which faces generally upward as object 26 b is moved by transfer line30. A matrix code 24 a is applied to top surface 27 for identificationpurposes. Similar matrix codes 24 a are applied to top surfaces of eachof objects 26 a and 26 c.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the image processing system includes a camera22 including optics 24 that define a field of view 28 below the camera22 through which transfer line 30 moves the objects 26 a, 26 b, 26 c,etc. Thus, as the objects move along direction of travel 25, each of thetop surfaces 27 comes into field of view 28. Field of view 28 is largeenough in the present example that the entire top surface 27 is locatedat one point or another within the field of view 28 and therefore anycode applied to the top surface 27 of an object passes through the fieldof view 28 and can be captured in an image by camera 22. The imagingsystem also includes a computer or processor 14 (or multiple processors)which receives images from camera 22, examines the images to identifysubportions of the images that may include an instance of a matrix codeas code candidates and then attempts to decode each code candidate in aneffort to identify the object currently within the field of view 28. Tothis end, camera 22 is linked to processor 14. An interface device 16/18is also linked to processor 14 to provide visual and audio output to asystem user as well as for the user to provide input to control theimaging system, set imaging system operating parameters, trouble shootimaging system problems, etc. In at least some embodiments, the imagingsystem also includes a tachometer 33 positioned adjacent transfer line30 which may be used to identify direction of travel 25 and/or the speedat which transfer line 30 transfers objects through the field of view.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary image of the field of view 28 isillustrated. Within the field of view 28, as shown, there are three codecandidates 24 a, 24 b, and 24 c wherein only code candidate 24 acorresponds to an actual matrix code. Thus, code candidates 24 b and 24c simply represent image artifacts that, upon an initial analysis of theimage, have some characteristics that are consistent with the artifactsbeing actual matrix codes to be decoded. The direction of travel 25 ofthe transfer line 30 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 as being fromright to left as illustrated. Thus, objects and codes marked thereonentering the field of view 28 enter the field of view from the right andpass to the left. For this reason, the right edge 36 of field of view 28is referred to as an entry edge while the left edge 38 is referred to asan exit edge.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, camera 22 is a high speed camera thatobtains consecutive images of field of view 28 extremely quickly suchthat, in many cases, as a code on an object moves through the field ofview 28, the camera 22 will obtain a large number of consecutive imagesof the code at different locations between the entry and exit edges 36and 38, respectively. Thus, for instance, camera 22 may obtain 20separate images with code 24 a appearing in each of the 20 images ascode 24 a moves across the field of view 28. While processor 14 is ahigh speed processor, in many cases, processor 14 is unable to processall of the data in all of the consecutive images generated by camera 22.This is particularly true where a large number of false code candidatesappear within obtained images and the number of false code candidateswithin images will often be a function of the circumstances under whichthe images are obtained. For example, where field of view lighting isimperfect, the number of false code candidates may be greater. Asanother example, the speed with which transfer line 30 moves the objectthrough the field of view 28 may affect the number of false codecandidates identified. In the present explanation it will be assumedthat in many cases camera 22 generates images so rapidly that processor14 cannot process all code candidates in all of the obtained images atleast some of the time.

It has been recognized that system processor 14 will have attempted todecode many of the code candidates within an obtained image in priorimages at least once and in many cases several times. For example,referring once again to FIG. 2 and now also to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows thefield of view 28 at a point and time shortly after the image shown inFIG. 2 was obtained where code candidate 24 c has moved along thedirection of travel 25 within the field of view 28 to a differentlocation. Similarly, candidate 24 a has moved along the direction oftravel within the field of view 28. Candidate 24 b has moved out of thefield of view 28 and therefore does not appear within FIG. 3. At theinstant when the image in FIG. 3 is obtained, because candidates 24 aand 24 c appeared within the image shown in FIG. 2 and likely withinmany other images obtained between the times when the images in FIGS. 2and 3 were obtained, it is likely that processor 14 has alreadyattempted to decode each of candidates 24 a and 24 c at least once andin many cases several times.

Referring still to FIG. 3, three additional code candidates 24 d, 24 eand 24 f appear within the image that did not appear within the imageshown in FIG. 2. Here, the artifacts that result in candidates 24 d-24 fhave moved to locations within the field of view 28 between the timeswhen the images in FIGS. 2 and 3 were obtained. In this case, processor14 may not have attempted to decode any of the candidates 24 d-24 f inprior images or, at a minimum, may have only attempted to decode eachone of the relatively newer candidates within the field of view asmaller number of times than the number of times the processor attemptedto decode the relatively older candidates 24 a and 24 c. Whether or notthe processor 14 has attempted to decode candidates within an obtainedimage of the field of view 28 is a function of the direction of travel25, the speed at which the transfer line 30 (see again FIG. 1) movesobjects and codes marked thereon through the field of view 28, the speedwith which the imaging system obtains images and the speed with whichthe processor decodes the candidates obtained.

Thus, in at least some embodiments, processor 14 may be programmed toeffectively order code candidates within an obtained image for decodingin a candidate order where candidates new to the field of view 28 areattempted first followed by candidates that have been within the fieldof view 28 for a relatively longer period of time.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a process 40 that may be performed by processor14 to order code candidates within an image for decoding attempts wherenew code candidates within a field of view are processed first isillustrated. At block 42, the processor 14 obtains an image from camera22. At block 44, processor 14 identifies the direction of travel throughthe field of view 28 as well as the speed of transfer line 30. Here,transfer line speed and direction of travel may be determined viatachometer 33. In other embodiments, the transfer line speed anddirection of travel may be pre-programmed so that no tachometer isnecessary. In still other embodiments, processor 14 may further beprogrammed to control the transfer line speed and direction of traveland therefore may already have that information for processing purposes.Continuing, at block 46, code candidates within the obtained image areidentified. At block 48, based at least in part on the direction oftravel/speed, processor 14 creates a candidate order wherein, consistentwith the comments described above, relatively newer code candidateswithin the field of view 28 are placed at the front of the candidateorder and relatively older candidates are placed near the end of theorder.

At block 50, processor 14 attempts to decode a next code candidate inthe candidate order. The first time through block 50 for an image,processor attempts to decode the first code candidate within thecandidate order, the second time through block 50 for an image,processor 14 attempts to decode the second code candidate within theorder, and so on. At block 52, processor 14 determines whether or notthe code candidate was successfully decoded. Where a code candidate hasbeen successfully decoded, control passes to block 56 where processor 14indicates that the decode attempt has been successful after whichcontrol passes to block 58.

Referring again to block 52, where the code candidate has not beensuccessfully decoded, control passes to block 58. At block 58, processor14 determines whether or not a next image has been obtained. Where anext image has been obtained, control passes back up to block 46 whereprocessor 14 again identifies all code candidates within the obtainedimage and the process described above continues. Here, it should beappreciated that when a next image is obtained at block 58 prior toprocessor 14 attempting to decode all of the code candidates within thecurrent image, candidates that the processor has not yet attempted todecode, in at least some embodiments, are simply discarded. Thus, forexample, referring again to FIG. 3, it may be that processor 14 only hastime to attempt to decode the relatively new images 24 d, 24 e and 24 fprior to the processor 14 obtaining a next image in which casecandidates 24 a and 24 c in FIG. 3 would be discarded. Here, it shouldbe recognized that processor 14 likely has attempted to decode each ofcandidates 24 a and 24 c several times in prior images when thosecandidates appeared earlier in the candidate order.

In at least some embodiments, processor 14 may be programmed to, when anext image is obtained, stop decoding code candidates that the processoris currently attempting to decode. In other embodiments, where theprocessor is substantially done performing a decode algorithm, theprocessor may continue the current decoding process until complete.

Referring once again to FIG. 4, where a next image has not been obtainedat block 58, control passes down to block 60 where processor 14determines whether or not all of the code candidates in the order havebeen attempted. Where the processor has not attempted to decode all ofthe code candidates in the order, control passes back up to block 50where the processor attempts to decode the next code candidate in thecandidate order. In some cases the processor may be able to attempt allcode candidates in the order for a specific image. In this case, atblock 60, control passes back up to block 42 where the processor 14waits to obtain the next image of the field of view 28.

Consistent with another aspect of at least some embodiments of thepresent invention, it has been recognized that in any image of the fieldof view 28, at least some of the code candidates within the image willlikely not appear in subsequent images and that, therefore, it may beadvantageous to place code candidates that will likely not appear insubsequent images at the top or at least closer to the top of thecandidate order. For example, referring again to FIG. 2, candidate 24 bis proximate exit edge 38 of field of view 28 and therefore, isrelatively more likely than candidates 24 a and 24 c to not appear in asubsequent image of the field of view 28. To this end, see also FIG. 3where candidates 24 a and 24 c appear in a subsequent image whilecandidate 24 b no longer appears within the image. Here, the image shownin FIG. 2 may represent the last possible instance of candidate 24 b forwhich a decode attempt can be made.

Thus, referring again to FIG. 4, in at least some embodiment, thecandidate order created at block 48 will place code candidates within afield of view that likely will not appear in subsequent images at thetop of the candidate order and new candidates within the field of view28 later in the order. In FIG. 2, for instance, this would mean that thecandidates 24 a through 24 c would be ordered 24 b, 24 a and 24 c. Otherthan the candidate order being different, the process 40 described withrespect to FIG. 4 would be performed in the fashion described above.

In some embodiments, instead of generating a candidate order, the fieldof view may be divided into different regions of interest and codecandidates within the different regions may be processed in an orderthat is a function of which region of interest they appear in. Forexample, referring once again to FIG. 2, field of view 28 is showndivided into first and second regions of interest 32 and 34,respectively, where the first region of interest 32 includes the firsthalf of the field of view 28 which is adjacent or proximate the entryedge 36 and the second region of interest 34 includes the second half ofthe field of view 28 which is adjacent or proximate the exit edge 38.Here, in embodiments where code candidates that are relatively new tothe field of view 28 should be processed first, processor 14 may attemptto decode candidates in the first region of interest 32 prior toattempting to decode candidates in the second region 34. Similarly, inembodiments where code candidates that are more likely to not appear insubsequent images should be processed first, processor 14 would processcandidates in the second region of interest 34 prior to processing anycandidates in the first region of interest 32.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary process 170 where processor 14processes code candidates as a function of which region of interestwithin a field of view the candidates appear in is illustrated. At block172, processor 14 obtains an image of the field of view 28. At block174, code candidates within the obtained image are identified. At block176, processor 14 identifies regions of interest within the image.Referring again to FIG. 2, in the FIG. 2 example, processor 14, in atleast some embodiments, identifies the first and second regions ofinterest 32 and 34, respectively. At block 178, processor 14 attempts todecode the next code candidate in the first region of interest 32. Here,the first time through block 178 for an image, processor 14 attempts todecode the first code candidate within the first region of interest 32,the second time through block 178, processor 14 attempts to decode asecond code candidate within the region of interest 32, and so on. Atblock 180, processor 14 determines whether or not the code candidate hasbeen successfully decoded. Where the code candidate has beensuccessfully decoded, control passes to block 182 where processor 14indicates a successful decode after which control passes to block 186.At decision block 180, if the code candidate has not been successfullydecoded, control passes to block 186.

Referring still to FIG. 5, at block 186, processor 14 determines whetheror not the processor 14 has received a next image from camera 22. Wherea next image has been received, control passes back up to block 174where processor 14 identifies code candidates in the new image and theprocess described above continues. Here, it should be appreciated thatif a next image is obtained prior to processor 14 having attempted todecode all of the code candidates within the first region of interest32, the code candidates that the processor has not attempted to decodein the first region of interest are discarded. In addition, all of thecode candidates in the second region of interest 34 are also discardedin favor of starting to attempt to decode candidates in the new image.In other embodiments, after a new image is obtained, processor 14 may beprogrammed to complete decode attempts on any candidates in the firstregion prior to processing the new or next image.

Referring still to block 186, if a next image has yet to be obtained,control passes to block 184. At block 184, processor 14 determineswhether or not the processor has attempted to decode all of the codecandidates in the first region of interest. Where there are additionalcode candidates that have not been attempted in the first region ofinterest, control passes back up to block 178 where the processdescribed above continues. Once all of the code candidates for the firstregion of interest have been attempted, control passes to block 188where processor 14 next attempts to decode the next code candidate inthe second region of interest. Here, the first time through block 188for an image, processor 14 attempts to decode a first code candidate inthe second region of interest 34, the second time through block 188,processor 14 attempts to decode a second code candidate in the region ofinterest, and so on.

Referring again to FIG. 5, at block 190, processor 14 determines whetheror not a code candidate has been successfully decoded. Where thecandidate has been successfully decoded, control passes to block 192where processor 14 indicates a successful decode. After block 192control passes to block 193. Where the code candidate has not beensuccessfully decoded at block 190, control passes down to block 193. Atblock 193 processor 14 determines whether or not a next image has beenobtained. Where a next image has been obtained, control passes back upto block 174 where the process described above continues. Here, again,it should be appreciated that if a next image is obtained prior to theprocessor attempting to decode all of the code candidates in the secondregion of interest 34, the code candidates that have not been attemptedare discarded.

Referring again to block 193, if a next image has not yet been obtained,control passes down to block 194 where processor 14 determines whetheror not the processor has attempted to decode all of the code candidatesin the second region of interest. Where there is at least one codecandidate in the second region of interest that has not been attempted,control passes back up to block 188 where the process described abovecontinues. Once all of the code candidates in the second region ofinterest have been attempted, control passes back up to block 172 whereprocessor 14 waits to receive a next image from camera 22.

There are many different algorithms that can be used to attempt todecode code candidates within an obtained image. Some of the algorithmsare relatively simple while others are relatively complex where thecomplex decode algorithms often are more successful at decodingcandidates than are the simple algorithms. However, in many cases,complex algorithms are extremely computationally intensive and thereforerequire relatively more time to complete than the simple algorithms. Inat least some embodiments it is contemplated that different decodealgorithms may be used to attempt to decode code candidates in an imagewhere the decode algorithms to be used may be a function of where codesappear within the obtained image, the direction of travel of codecandidates through the field of view, the speed of travel, etc. Forexample, referring once again to FIG. 2, different decode algorithms maybe used to attempt to decode code candidates in the different regions ofinterest 32 and 34. For instance, in some cases a simple decodealgorithm may be used to decode any code candidates within the firstregion of interest 32 and a second more complex decode algorithm may beused to attempt to decode all code candidates within the second regionof interest 34 until a next image is obtained at which point any codecandidates that the processor has not yet attempted to decode would bediscarded. Consistent with this embodiment, see FIG. 5 where blocks 178and 188 indicate in brackets that first and second different decodingalgorithms, respectively, are used to attempt to decode code candidatesin the first and second regions of interest, respectively.

In at least some embodiments, processor 14 may be programmed toassociate code candidates in an obtained image with code candidates inpreviously processed images and more specifically to associate codecandidates in obtained images with previously successfully decodedcandidates in prior images and may order candidates for attempteddecoding as a function of which candidates have likely been previouslydecoded and which candidates have not likely been previously decoded. Tothis end, it has been recognized that when a code candidate in anobtained image has likely been previously decoded, another successfuldecode of that candidate will simply confirm the results of the previoussuccessful decode. In at least some embodiments the processor isprogrammed to attempt to decode codes that have yet to be successfullydecode in previous images prior to attempting to decode codes that havelikely previously been decoded.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a process 240 that may be performed byprocessor 14 to attempt to decode code candidates as a function ofwhether or not those code candidates have likely been successfullydecoded in previous images is illustrated. At block 242, processor 14obtains an image of the field of view from camera 22. At block 244, codecandidates are identified within the image. At block 246, codecandidates that have likely been decoded in previous images areidentified based on speed of the transfer line 30, the direction oftravel of the transfer line and the locations of the code candidates inprevious images and in the current image. At block 248, processor 14identifies code candidates that have likely not been decoded in previousimages based on speed, direction of travel, and locations of candidatesin previous images and the current image. At block 252, processor 14creates a candidate order where candidates likely not attempted inprevious images are placed near the top of the order. Here, as above,the order may further be defined by the location of candidates in thecurrent image. For instance, new code candidates that likely have neverbeen identified in prior images may be placed higher in the order thancandidates identified in prior images but that were not successfullydecoded. At block 250, processor 14 attempts to decode a next codecandidate in the order that has likely not been decoded in at least oneprevious image. At block 254, where the code candidate is successfullydecoded, control passes down to block 255 where processor 14 stores thelocation of the decoded code candidate in a memory for subsequent use atblock 246 as described above. After block 255, control passes to block256 where processor 14 indicates a successful decode after which controlpasses down to decision block 258. At block 254, where the codecandidate is not successfully decoded, control passes down to block 258.

At decision block 258, processor 14 determines whether or not a nextimage has been obtained from camera 22. Where a next image has beenobtained from the camera, control passes back up to block 244 where codecandidates in the next image are identified and the process describedabove continues. At block 258, if a next image has not yet beenobtained, control passes up to block 260 where processor 14 determineswhether or not the processor has attempted to decode all code candidatesthat likely have not been decoded in previous images. Where theprocessor has not attempted to decode all code candidates that werelikely not previously decoded in previous images, control passes back toblock 250 where processor 14 attempts to decode a next code candidatethat was not likely decoded and the process described above continues.

At block 260 if the processor has attempted to decode all codecandidates likely not decoded in previous images, control passes down toblock 262 where processor 14 attempts to decode a next code candidatethat was likely decoded in a previous image. At decision block 264,processor 14 determines whether or not the code candidate has beensuccessfully decoded. Where the code candidate is successfully decoded,control passes to block 266 where processor 14 stores the decodedcandidate location and at block 268 processor 14 indicates a successfuldecode. At block 264, if the code candidate is not successfully decoded,control passes down to block 270.

At block 270, processor 14 determines whether or not a next image hasbeen obtained from camera 22. Where a next image has been obtained,control passes back up to block 244 where the process described abovecontinues. If a next image has not been obtained, control passes down toblock 272 where processor 14 determines whether or not the processor hasattempted to decode all of the code candidates likely decoded inprevious images. Where the processor has attempted all likely previouslydecoded candidates, control passes back up to block 242 where theprocess described above continues. If there is at least one more codecandidate that the processor has likely decoded in a previous image andthat the processor has not attempted to decode in the current image,control passes back up to block 262 where the process described abovecontinues.

Referring still to FIG. 6, in at least some embodiments the decodingalgorithms used to attempt to decode likely previously decodedcandidates and code candidates that have not likely previously beendecoded may be different and selected to optimize the decoding process.For example, for code candidates likely not previously decoded, a firstrelatively complex decoding algorithm may be used (see brackets in block250) and for codes that have likely been previously decoded in earlierimages, a second relatively simple decoding algorithm may be used toattempt to decode those candidates (see brackets in block 262).

Referring yet again to FIG. 6, while the embodiment described above withrespect to FIG. 6 orders code candidates for attempted decoding as afunction of whether or not the code candidates likely have beensuccessfully decoded in prior images, in yet other embodiments the codecandidates may be ordered as a function of whether or not the processorhas likely attempted to decode the candidates or not. For example, wherea processor has attempted to decode a first code candidate in a priorimage and has not attempted to decode a second code candidate in a priorimage, the processor 14 may attempt to decode the second code candidateprior to the first code candidate irrespective of whether or not theattempt to decode the first code candidate in the prior image wassuccessful. In other embodiments, given the same circumstances, theprocessor may be programmed to attempt to decode the first codecandidate prior to the second. To this end, blocks 246, 248, 250, 260,262 and 272 each include one of the qualifiers (attempted) or (notattempted) which may be substituted for the phrases “likely decoded” and“likely not decoded”, respectively, in those blocks. When FIG. 6 ismodified in this manner, the process 240 corresponds to a system whereinprocessor 14 is programmed to order decode attempts as a function ofwhether or not the processor has likely attempted to decode codecandidates in prior images.

In still other embodiments, processor 14 may be programmed to order codecandidates as a function of both whether or not codes have likely beensuccessfully decoded in prior images and whether or not code candidateswill likely appear in subsequent images. To this end, referring to FIG.7, another process 350 that may be performed by processor 14 that isconsistent with at least some aspects of the present invention isillustrated. At block 352, processor 14 obtains an image from camera 22.At block 354, code candidates within the image are identified. At block356, processor 14 identifies code candidates likely not decoded in atleast one previous image and that will likely not appear in subsequentimages as Group 1 candidates. At block 358, processor 14 identifies codecandidates likely not decoded in previous images and that will likelyappear in subsequent images as Group 2 candidates. At block 360,processor 14 identifies code candidates likely decoded in previousimages and that will likely not appear in subsequent images as Group 3candidates. At block 362, processor 14 identifies code candidates thathave likely been decoded in previous images and that will likely appearin subsequent images as Group 4 candidates.

Continuing at block 364, processor 14 attempts to decode the next Group1 code candidate (i.e., the next code candidate likely not decoded in aprevious image and that will likely not appear in a subsequent image).Here, the first time through block 364 for an image, processor 14attempts to decode a first Group 1 candidate, the second time throughblock 364, processor 14 attempts to decode a second Group 1 candidate,and so on.

At block 366, processor 14 determines whether or not a code candidatehas been successfully decoded. Where the code candidate has beensuccessfully decoded, control passes to block 368 and then to block 370where the processor 14 stores the decoded candidate location andindicates a successful decode. After block 370, control passes to block372. At block 366, if the code candidate has not been successfullydecoded, control passes down to block 372.

At block 372, processor 14 determines whether or not a next image hasbeen obtained. Where a next image has been obtained, control passes backup to block 354 where the process described above is repeated. Here,where a next image is obtained at block 372, all code candidates in thecurrent image that the processor has not attempted to decode arediscarded. At block 372, if a next image has not been obtained, controlpasses to block 374 where processor 14 determines whether or not allGroup 1 candidates have been attempted. Where all Group 1 candidateshave not been attempted, control passes back up to block 364 where theprocess described above continues. At block 374, once all groupcandidates have been attempted, control passes to block 380 in FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 8, at block 380, processor 14 attempted to decodea next Group 2 candidate. Here, the first time through block 380,processor 14 attempts to decode the first Group 2 candidate, the secondtime through block 380, processor 14 attempts to decode the second Group2 candidate and so on. At block 382, processor 14 determines whether ornot the Group 2 candidate has been successfully decoded. Where the Group2 candidate has been successfully decoded, control passes to blocks 384and 386 where processor 14 stores the decoded candidate location andindicates a successful decode. After block 386, control passes to block388. At 382, if the code candidate has not been successfully decoded,control passes to block 388.

At block 388, processor 14 determines whether or not a next image hasbeen obtained from camera 22. Where a next image has been obtained fromthe camera, control passes back up to block 354 in FIG. 7 where theprocess described above continues. Here, if a next image is obtained atblock 388, code candidates within the current image that the processorhas not yet attempted to decode are discarded. At block 388, if a nextimage has not been obtained, control passes to block 390 where processor14 determines whether or not all Group 2 candidates have been attempted.Where at least one Group 2 candidate has not been attempted, controlpasses back up to block 380 where the process described above iscontinued. If all of the Group 2 candidates have been attempted at block390, control passes up to block 392.

At block 392, processor 14 attempts to decode the next Group 3candidate. Here, the first time through block 392, processor 14 attemptsto decode the first Group 3 candidate, the second time through block392, processor 14 attempts to decode the second Group 3 candidate, andso on. At block 394, processor 14 determines whether or not the codecandidate has been successfully decoded. Where the code candidate hasbeen successfully decoded, control passes to blocks 396 and 398 whereprocess 14 stores the decoded candidate location and indicates asuccessful decode. After block 398, control passes to block 400.

At block 400, processor 14 determines whether or not a next image hasbeen obtained. If a next image has been obtained, control passes back upto block 354 in FIG. 7 and code candidates that the processor has notyet attempted to decode in the current image are discarded. If a nextimage has not been obtained at block 400, control passes to block 402.At block 402, processor 14 determines whether or not the processor hasattempted to decode all of the Group 3 candidates. Where at least oneGroup 3 candidate has not been attempted, control passes back up toblock 392 and the process described above continues. If all Group 3candidates have been attempted, control passes to block 404.

At block 404, processor 14 attempts to decode the next Group 4 codecandidate. Here, the first time through block 404, processor 14 attemptsto decode the first Group 4 candidate, the second time through block404, processor 14 attempts to decode the second Group 4 candidate and soon. At block 406, processor 14 determines whether or not the codecandidate has been successfully decoded. Where the code candidate hasbeen successfully decoded, control passes to blocks 408 and 410 whereprocessor 14 stores the decoded candidate location and indicates asuccessful decode. After block 410, control passes to block 412. Atblock 406, if the code candidate has not been successfully decoded,control passes to block 412. At block 412, processor 14 determineswhether or not a next image has been obtained from camera 22. Where anext image has been obtained, control passes to block 354 in FIG. 7where the process described above continues and Group 4 code candidatesthat the processor has not attempted to decode are discarded. At block412, if a next image has not been obtained, control passes down to block414 where processor 414 determines whether or not the processor hasattempted to decode all Group 4 candidates. Where at least one Group 4candidate has not been attempted, control passes back up to block 404where the process described above continues. If all Group 4 candidateshave been attempted, control passes to block 352 in FIG. 7 whereprocessor 14 waits to receive a next image from camera 22.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that processor 14 may beprogrammed to attempt to decode a least a subset of the code candidateswithin an image using at least first and second different decodealgorithms if possible prior to obtaining a next image. For instance,referring again to FIG. 2, the processor 14 may be programmed toinitially attempt to decode all code candidates within the second regionof interest 34 (i.e., attempt to decode all code candidates in thesecond half of the field of view that is adjacent the exit edge 38)using a relative simple decoding algorithm first and then, if timepermits prior to a next new image event occurring, to attempt to decodeall code candidates in the first region of interest 32 using arelatively simple and less time consuming decoding algorithm and, wheretime permits prior to the next image event occurring, to then attempt todecode code candidates in the first region of interest 32 using the morecomplex decode algorithm. Other sequences of applying two or moredifferent decoding algorithms to different subsets of code candidates inan interleaved fashion are contemplated.

In still other embodiments, processor 14 may be programmed to order codecandidates in different candidate groups as a function of locationswithin the camera's field of view. For instance, in the processdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8 where code candidates havebeen grouped into four different candidate groups based on whether ornot the candidates have likely been previously decoded or not andwhether or not the candidates will likely appear in subsequent images,candidates in group 1 (i.e., candidates likely not previously decodedand that will likely not appear in subsequent images) may be orderedwith candidates closer to the entry edge of the field of view higher inthe order than candidates spaced further from the entry edge. Candidatesin the other groups 2 through 4 may be ordered in a similar fashion.

In still other embodiments, it is contemplated that when a next imageevent occurs prior to a processor attempting to decode all codecandidates in a current image, the code candidates that have not beenattempted may be stored for subsequent consideration. For instance,assume that there are ten code candidates in a first image and that theprocessor is only able to attempt to decode four of the ten candidatesprior to obtaining a second image (i.e., prior to a next image event) sothat at least initially, the processor does not attempt to decode six ofthe ten candidates in the first image. Also assume that there are onlytwo code candidates in the second image and that the processor completesdecode attempts of the two candidates prior to obtaining a third imageso that the processor would have time to attempt to decode additionalcode candidates in the first image prior to obtaining the third image.In this case, the processor may be programmed to retrieve at least asubset of the code candidates from the first image and attempt to decodethose candidates prior to obtaining the third image.

The subset of candidates selected to attempt to decode in a prior imagemay be a function of candidates that appeared in a subsequent image. Forinstance, in the above example where only two code candidates appear inthe second image, processor 14 may be programmed to correlate the twocandidates from the second image with two of the six code candidatesthat were not attempted in the first image and may attempt to decode thetwo candidates from the first image prior to receiving the third image.

It should be appreciated that different embodiments of the presentinvention take into account different factors when ordering codecandidates within an obtained image to be attempted to be decoded by aprocessor. For instance, a processor may be programmed to factor in anyone or a subset of the locations of code candidates within an obtainedimage, the travel direction of code candidates through a camera's fieldof view, the speed of travel of code candidates through the field ofview, prior attempts to decode candidates in previous images, previoussuccessful decode attempts for candidates, whether or not codecandidates are new within a field of view or will be exiting the fieldof view, etc.

While the embodiments described above each require that code candidatesthat a processor has not attempted to decode be discarded when a newimage is obtained, in at least some embodiments it is contemplated that,in at least some cases, new images may not be received until theprocessor attempts to decode all code candidates in at least a subset ofthe code candidates that appear in an image. For example, referringagain to FIG. 7, where Group 1 candidates include code candidates thatlikely have not been decoded in previous images and likely will notappear in next images, processor 14 may be programmed to complete decodeattempts for all Group 1 candidates prior to receiving a next image forprocessing even if the camera generates a next image before completingthe attempts. In the alternative, if a next image is obtained prior tocompleting all attempts of Group 1 candidates, the next image may bestored or partially processed until the Group 1 candidates have all beenattempted. In other embodiments, the processor may be programmed torequire decode attempts for other subsets of code candidates prior toreceiving or processing a next image.

While many of the embodiments described above stop attempting to decodecode candidates when a next image is obtained, other next image eventsmay cause the processor to stop attempting to decode candidates. Forexample, instead of waiting for a next image to be obtained, theprocessor 14 may be programmed to time out a period after which decodeattempts for an image are discarded. Here, the time out period may becalculated to be a period similar to or slightly less than the periodlikely required for obtaining a next image. As another example, theprocessor 14 may be programmed to only attempt to decode a maximumnumber of code candidates where the maximum number is calculated to becompleted prior to a next image being obtained. Here, the time outperiod and the maximum number of candidates to decode as well as theacquisition of a next image will generally be referred to as next imageevents which operate as processor triggers to discard code candidatesthat the processor has not attempted to decode or to complete only asubset of code candidates prior to processing a next obtained image.Other next image events are contemplated.

While all of the embodiments described above include processor 14sequentially attempting to decode code candidates one at a time, itshould be appreciated that in at least some embodiments the processor 14may be able to simultaneously process two or more code candidates. Here,for instance, in at least some embodiments, where code candidates aredivided into different groups by their locations within differentregions of interest or as a function of other characteristics, theprocessor 14 may simultaneously attempt to decode all candidates in onegroup followed by attempts to decode all candidates in subsequent groupsin a simultaneous fashion.

Referring once again to FIG. 2, while field of view 28 is divided intotwo different regions of interest 32 and 34 in the illustrated example,it should be appreciated that the field of view 28 may be divided intothree or more fields of view or irregularly shaped fields of view, inany fashion.

While at least some of the processes described above forego processingof code candidates that have likely been decoded in previous images, inother embodiments the processor may only forego decoding attempts forcodes that have likely previously been decoded more than once. Forinstance, the processor 14 may be programmed to require that a code havebeen successfully decoded twice or more prior to foregoing attempts forthe same code in subsequent images.

In still other embodiments processor 14 may be programmed to foregoattempts to decode at least some instances of a code candidate in someimages where the processor has attempted to decode and failed to decodethe candidate in one or more previous images. For instance, assume thata first code candidate has appeared in first and second consecutiveimages and has not been successfully decoded. In this case, while thefirst code candidate may appear is third, fourth, fifth and sixthsubsequent images, processor 14 may be programmed to forego attempts todecode the first code candidate in the third, fourth and fifth images sothat the processor 14 attempts next to decode the first code candidatein the sixth image. Skipping decode attempts may be advantageous ascandidates often appear in consecutive images with similarcharacteristics which change to a greater degree in subsequent imageswhen the objects and codes are at different locations within thecamera's field of view. Thus, often it is more likely that the instanceof the first code candidate in the sixth image will be more suitable fordecoding than the instance in the third image after the processor hasfailed to decode the instances in the first and second images.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to thedetails of construction or design herein shown, other than as describedin the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claimsbelow.

Thus, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the following appended claims.

To apprise the public of the scope of this invention, the followingclaims are made:

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for decoding codes applied to objectsfor use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includesan image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and theconveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through theFOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOValong an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of: providing aprocessor programmed to perform the steps of: obtaining images of theFOV; for each image: (i) identifying code candidates in at leastportions of the image; (ii) ordering at least a subset of the codecandidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate orderis determined at least in part as a function of the first direction oftravel through the FOV; (iii) attempting to decode code candidates inthe order specified by the candidate order; and (iv) when a new imageevent occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of theidentified code candidates.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step ofordering at least a subset of code candidates includes identifying atleast first and second regions of interest (ROIs) in the FOV that areadjacent the entry edge and the exit edge of the FOV, respectively,identifying code candidates in each of the at least first and secondROIs, and ordering the code candidates in one of the first and secondROIs for processing prior to the code candidates in the other of thefirst and second ROIs.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the codecandidates in the first ROI are ordered prior to the code candidates inthe second ROI in the candidate order.
 4. The method of claim 2 whereinthe code candidates in the second ROI are ordered prior to the codecandidates in the first ROI in the candidate order.
 5. The method inclaim 1 wherein the step of ordering at least a subset of the codecandidates further includes the step of identifying code candidates thatwill likely be outside the FOV when a next image is obtained andordering the code candidates that will likely be outside the FOV whenthe next image is obtained near the beginning of the candidate order. 6.The method of claim 5 wherein the step of identifying code candidatesthat will likely be outside the FOV further includes the step of, forcode candidates that will likely be outside the FOV when the next imageis obtained, identifying code candidates that have likely been decodedin prior images and code candidates that likely have not been decoded inprior images and ordering the code candidates that likely have not beendecoded in prior images prior to the code candidates that have likelybeen decoded in prior images.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the stepof ordering at least a subset of the code candidates further includesthe steps of identifying code candidates that are likely new to the FOVand identifying code candidates that were likely in a prior image andthat will likely be in the FOV when a subsequent image is obtained andordering the code candidates that were likely in a prior image and thatwill likely be in the FOV when the subsequent image is obtained near theend of the candidate order and the code candidates that were likely in aprior image generally near the middle of the candidate order.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the step of ordering at least a subset of thecode candidates includes identifying code candidates that likely are newto the FOV near the beginning of the candidate order.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the step of ordering at least a subset of the codecandidates includes: identifying code candidates that are likely to beoutside the FOV when a next image is obtained and that have likely notbeen decoded in a prior image as a first candidate subset; identifyingcode candidates that are likely to be outside the FOV when a next imageis obtained and that have likely been decoded in a prior image as asecond candidate subset; identifying code candidates that are likely tobe in the FOV when a next image is obtained and that have likely notbeen decoded in a prior image as a third candidate subset; identifyingcode candidates that are likely to be in the FOV when a next image isobtained and that have likely been decoded in a prior image as a fourthcandidate subset; and ordering the subsets so that the first candidatesubset occurs prior to the second candidate subset, the second candidatesubset occurs prior to the third candidate subset and the thirdcandidate subset occurs prior to the fourth candidate subset.
 10. Themethod of claim 1 wherein, when a new image is obtained, the methodfurther includes discarding code candidates in the candidate order forwhich no attempt to decode has occurred.
 11. The method of claim 1wherein the conveyor system conveys objects in the first direction oftravel at a conveyor speed and wherein the candidate order is determinedat least in part as a function of the conveyor speed.
 12. The method ofclaim 1 wherein at least first and second different decode algorithmsmay be used to attempt to decode any of the code candidates, the methodfurther including the step of assigning one of the first and seconddecode algorithms to each of at least a subset of the code candidates inthe candidate order wherein the algorithm assigned to each candidate isat least in part a function of the candidate order.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 further including the steps of identifying code candidates thatwere likely successfully decoded in prior images and code candidatesthat were likely not successfully decoded in prior images, the step ofassigning first and second decode algorithms including assigning thedecode algorithms at least in part as a function of whether or not codecandidates were likely decoded in a prior image.
 14. The method of claim12 wherein the first decode algorithm requires more time than the seconddecode algorithm to complete.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein a newimage event occurs when a new image is obtained.
 16. The method of claim1 wherein a new image event occurs when an image acquisition period haslapsed.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the first ROI is proximate oneof the entry and exit edges of the FOV and the second ROI is proximatethe other of the entry and exit edges of the FOV.
 18. A method fordecoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyorsystem wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a twodimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects ina first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter theFOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the methodcomprising the steps of: providing a processor programmed to perform thesteps of: identifying the first direction of travel through the FOV;obtaining images of the FOV; for each image, where an image mostrecently obtained is a current image: (i) identifying code candidates inat least portions of the image; (ii) attempting to decode codecandidates that are proximate the exit edge of the FOV; (iii) afterattempting to decode code candidates that are proximate the exit edge ofthe FOV, attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate theentry edge of the FOV; and (iv) when a new image event occurs, foregoingattempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.19. A method for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a cameraand a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor havinga two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system movesobjects in a first direction through the FOV such that objects enter theFOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge so that thesensor generates images having at least first and second differentregions of interest that are adjacent the entry edge and the exit edge,respectively the method comprising the steps of: providing a processorprogrammed to perform the steps of: obtaining an image of the FOV; foreach image: (i) identifying code candidates in at least portions of theimage; (ii) identifying at least first and second different regions ofinterest (ROIs) in the obtained image; (iii) attempting to decode codecandidates in the first ROI a first time; (iv) after attempting todecode code candidates in the first ROI, attempting to decode codecandidates in the second ROI; (v) after attempting to decode codecandidates in the second ROI, attempting a second time to decode codecandidates in the first ROI; and (vi) when a new image event occurs,foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified codecandidates.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of attempting todecode code candidates in the first ROI a first time includes using afirst decode algorithm and the step of attempting to decode codecandidates in the first ROI a second time includes attempting to decodethe code candidates using a second decode algorithm that is differentthan the first decode algorithm.
 21. The method of claim 19 furtherincluding the step of ordering code candidates within the first ROI in acandidate order, the step of attempting to decode code candidates in thefirst ROI a first time, including attempting to decode the codecandidates in an order prescribed by the candidate order.
 22. The methodof claim 21 further including the step of identifying code candidates inthe first ROI that have likely been previously decoded in at least oneprior image, the step of ordering the code candidates including orderthe code candidates at least in part as a function of which candidateshave likely been previously decoded in at least one prior image.
 23. Amethod for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and aconveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a twodimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects ina first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter theFOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the methodcomprising the steps of: providing a processor programmed to perform thesteps of: obtaining images of the FOV; for each image, where an imagemost recently obtained is a current image: (i) identifying codecandidates in at least portions of the image; (ii) ordering the codecandidates in a candidate order where the order is determined at leastin part as a function of at least one of the locations of the codecandidates in the FOV, the first direction of travel, the likelihoodthat code candidates were decoded in a prior image and the speed oftravel of the objects through the FOV; and (iii) when a new image eventoccurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of theidentified code candidates.
 24. An apparatus for decoding codes appliedto objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein thecamera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view(FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction oftravel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entryedge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the apparatus comprising: aprocessor programmed to perform the steps of: obtaining images of theFOV; for each image: (i) identifying code candidates in at leastportions of the image; (ii) ordering at least a subset of the codecandidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate orderis determined at least in part as a function of the first direction oftravel through the FOV; (iii) attempting to decode code candidates inthe order specified by the direction of travel; and (iv) when a newimage event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion ofthe identified code candidates.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 whereinthe processor is programmed to perform the step of ordering at least asubset of code candidates by identifying at least first and secondregions of interest (ROIs) in the FOV that are adjacent the entry edgeand the exit edge of the FOV, respectively, identifying code candidatesin each of the at least first and second ROIs, and ordering the codecandidates in one of the first and second ROIs for processing prior tothe code candidates in the other of the first and second ROIs.
 26. Theapparatus in claim 24 wherein the processor is programmed to perform thestep of ordering at least a subset of the code candidates by identifyingcode candidates that will likely be outside the FOV when a next image isobtained and ordering the code candidates that will likely be outsidethe FOV when the next image is obtained near the beginning of thecandidate order.
 27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the processor isprogrammed to perform the step of ordering at least a subset of the codecandidates by identifying code candidates that likely are new to the FOVnear the beginning of the candidate order.
 28. An apparatus for decodingcodes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor systemwherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensionalfield of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a firstdirection of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOValong an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the apparatuscomprising: a processor programmed to perform the steps of: identifyingthe first direction of travel through the FOV; obtaining images of theFOV; for each image, where an image most recently obtained is a currentimage: (i) identifying code candidates in at least portions of theimage; (ii) attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate theexit edge of the FOV; (iii) after attempting to decode code candidatesthat are proximate the exit edge of the FOV, attempting to decode codecandidates that are proximate the entry edge of the FOV; and (iv) when anew image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portionof the identified code candidates.
 29. An apparatus for decoding codesapplied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system whereinthe camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field ofview (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first directionthrough the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge andexit the FOV along an exit edge so that the sensor generates imageshaving at least first and second different regions of interest that areadjacent the entry edge and the exit edge, respectively, the apparatuscomprising: a processor programmed to perform the steps of: obtaining animage of the FOV; for each image: (i) identifying code candidates in atleast portions of the image; (ii) identifying at least first and seconddifferent regions of interest (ROIs) in the obtained image; (iii)attempting to decode code candidates in the first ROI a first time; (iv)after attempting to decode code candidates in the first ROI, attemptingto decode code candidates in the second ROI; (v) after attempting todecode code candidates in the second ROI, attempting a second time todecode code candidates in the first ROI; and (vi) when a new image eventoccurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of theidentified code candidates.